Bowel Habits and Functional Constipation in Healthy Children-A Longitudinal Birth-Cohort Study.

AIM: Functional constipation is common during childhood. Parents' concerns about their child's bowel habits are often the reason for seeking healthcare. We aim to report data on normal bowel habits, prevalence of functional constipation, long-term outcome, and a search for risk factors in children during the first 2.5 years of life.

METHODS

This prospective longitudinal birth-cohort study included 122 healthy term infants, and repeated questionnaires were answered by parents.

RESULT: Stool frequency declined with age and stabilised after 6 months. Stool consistencies changed, with hard and very hard stools increasing with age. Functional constipation was found in 22.1%, and at the last follow-up, 69.6% were still on medication. Relapse was seen in 26.1% on follow-up. Risk factors at baseline or at 2 months of age that increased the odds of having functional constipation thereafter were not found. Breastfeeding at 2 weeks decreased the probability of FC in the first 2.5 years of life.

CONCLUSION

We report data on normal bowel habits from birth to 2.5 years of age. One fifth of the children were diagnosed with functional constipation, and relapse was common; therefore, endurance of treatment, repeated visits, and long-term follow-up are necessary since many children need medication for several years.